Browsing by Author "Pereira, Alcides J. S. C."
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- Assessment of sustainability of groundwater in urban areas (Porto, NW Portugal): a GIS mapping approach to evaluate vulnerability, infiltration and rechargePublication . Freitas, Liliana; Afonso, Maria José; Pereira, Alcides J. S. C.; Delerue-Matos, Cristina; Chaminé, Helder I.The urban water cycle concept demonstrates the connectivity and interdependence of urban water resources and human activities, and the need for integrated sustainable management studies and approaches. The role of climate, geology, geo-morphology, land-use/cover, hydrogeochemistry, hydraulics, human activities among other features is significant in urban areas. In addition, land-use development has a stronger influence on terrestrial hydrology than climate variability. The need for provision of safe water, sanitation and drainage systems is key elements to consider for the groundwater resources in complex urban environments. In recent years, a new focus has emerged, addressing issues on integrated GIS mapping stud-ies on urban water supply systems, particularly in historical cities. To illustrate that approach the Porto urban area (NW Portugal) was selected. This work presents a comprehensive study to demonstrate the key importance of urban groundwater studies, as well as the evaluation of the Urban Infiltration Potential Index and the potential groundwater yields that might be available for non-potable uses, such as irrigation of parks and lawns, street cleaning and firefighting. This strategy is useful for the planning and management of urban groundwater abstraction in an equitable and sustainable manner.
- Groundwater Vulnerability Mapping and Ancestral Systems of Water Galleries (Porto Urban Area, NW Portugal): A Design on Nature-Based SolutionsPublication . Freitas, Liliana; Afonso, Maria José; Devy-Vareta, Nicole; Pereira, Alcides J. S. C.; Carvalho, José Martins; Chaminé, Helder I.Groundwater resources are crucial to the settlement of populations, and their quantity and quality are essential to the development of urban areas. In fact, nature-based solutions for water were considered in many places using ancestral systems of water galleries and springs to supply urban areas. That design based in natural solutions had proven during centuries to be much less demanding and resourceful. A multidisciplinary approach was applied in Porto urban area (NW Portugal), to assess the urban groundwater supply and ancestral network of water galleries and springs. The infiltration potential index in urban areas (IPI-Urban) is dependent on several parameters (e.g. lithology, structure, weathering grade, morphotectonics, land use, drainage, slope, rainfall, anthropogenic and urban hydraulic features, like the water supply, the sewer and the stormwater networks) which can be overlapped and cross-linked in a GIS environment. Moreover, several vulnerability indexes (DRASTIC, GODS, DRASTIC-Fm, SINTACS and SI) were outlined within a combined approach, and an evaluation of urban recharge was performed. All these permitted to improve the hydrogeological conceptual model for Porto urban area. Therefore, those old underground structures could be a positive asset as socio-economic, environmental and heritage drivers if are used nature-based solutions and good geoethical practices.
- Integrative Groundwater Studies in a Small-Scale Urban Area: Case Study from the Municipality of Penafiel (NW Portugal)Publication . Freitas, Liliana; Chaminé, Helder I.; Afonso, Maria José; Meerkhan, Helen; Abreu, Tiago; Trigo, José Filinto; Pereira, Alcides J. S. C.The occurrence of groundwater in urban hard rock areas is mostly controlled by secondary permeability caused by the fracturing degree and weathering grade. Vulnerability GIS-mapping, monitoring, and infiltration/recharge of water resources, and the delineation of the environmental protective background are key issues in evaluating, planning, managing, and decision-making for urban water systems. A small-scale urban area in Penafiel City was used as a case study. Historical and current scenarios were compared using hydrogeological GIS-based modelling. Water sources and potential contamination sources were mapped around the study area. Groundwater is mainly acidic, with a low mineralization and a Cl-Na to Cl-SO4-Na or Cl-Ca to Cl-SO4-Ca hydrogeochemical facies. Considering potential contamination sources, the moderate and the moderate-high classes dominate the area. The combined approach of the vulnerability indexes suggests that most of the area has a low to moderate vulnerability to contamination. The Infiltration Potential Index in urban areas (IPI-urban) indicates the prevalence of a low to moderate infiltration. Groundwater recharge evaluation indicates values < 2.3 mm/year and <60 mm/year for summer and winter scenarios, respectively. Finally, the investigation addresses insights for decision-makers for the appropriate planning and sustainable management of groundwater resources in small-scale urban areas.